2013 68RFE Wont reverse

[Larry E]

2013 RAM 2500 TD 4x4 80K miles
Bought a new trailer and decided to upgrade the towing capability so airbags, 4.10 gearing. I previously had the error codes for 5th and 6th gear ratio. So had them install new ATS valve body, solenoids, sensors. Everything was broken in correctly and worked fine. While driving with a utility trailer all was good. Came home and went to back up the trailer for storage and it locked up. No reverse. It appears to go into gear but acts like I am stomping on the brake. Not free wheeling RPMs but under a load. I have looked through the archives and only found changing filters. This is getting old and very expensive.

 

[Ozymandias]

When installing the gears, was the ECM programmed with the new ratio?

When the ATS Valvebody was installed, was the re-learn process of the Transmission properly done?

Both of these points are crucial to be done, without you ruin the Trans in a short amount of time.

 

[Larry E]

I tried to find out about reprogramming after the rehearing and I didn't find anything that required it. To me it would make sense IF their was a way to do it but most of what I found was that it was a matter of shift points and RPMs. I broke in the new gears IAW manufacturers instructions and it shifts fine and accelerates faster. This was all BEFORE the Valvebody.
When we did the ATS valve body and sensors I was getting the 5 gear ratio and 6th gear ratio error codes. So we did the whole package, but again asked the question of programming but got crickets from ATS and I didn't see anything in the documentation. With the new valve body the shift points appear to be spot on and smooth, strong.
Appreciate the input, I will call ATS directly.
Thanks again.

 

[Larry E]

Thanks for your input. Appreciate it. I did ask about reprogramming after installation of both (separate events - regear first then valve body a few weeks later). I emailed ATS and asked if software needed to be refreshed or something and didn't get an answer but I also didn't see anything in all of the YOUTUBE installation video or on ATS as well as other websites. No mention at all.
I will call ATS directly and get some answers.
BTW the forward gears shift smooth and strong, and the shift points appear to be spot on. Acceleration is noticeably quicker than with the 3.43.

Thanks again.

 

[Larry E]

After talking with ATS and working through what we have done and the state of the problems, they recommended we replace the transmission. Seriously, replace the transmissions after 81K miles!!! What a POS!! How can anyone recommend these trucks? This my third one and I won't buy another. Wow.

 

[Ozymandias]

You should stay to what RAM says in their factory service manual and not to stuff that "someone" says.

The programm point "axle ratio" in the ECM is there for a reason and not a joke.

The same is for the relearn process after main works at the transmission has been done - and replacing a Valvebody IS a main work.

That relearn process should be done with wiTech.

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/68rfe-issue.264477/

It's not only about shift points - it's more how the shift itself is accomplished, this is serious, we talk about overlap and other stuff that is involved in this. Like I said, it is possible to ruin a transmission in very short time if that isn't done the proper way.
The 68RFE is in no way comparable to the good old mechanical 48RE.

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-m&sxsrf=ACYBGNQQqth8IXHpQlwoi1auh80r5_d4sQ:1581993077062&ei=dUxLXqa4A-yx0PEPmZWKwAE&q=How+to+relearn+68rfe+&oq=How+to+relearn+68rfe+&gs_l=mobile-gws-wiz-serp.3..0i22i30l2j33i160l2.9335.20616..23461...2.0..2.1033.9695.0j6j14j3j2j3j1j1......0....1.......8..35i39j35i362i39j46i362i39j35i362i39i19j46j0j0i67j0i203j46i203j33i21.vBEkXSkZORE

 

[Larry E]

Thanks again Ozy.

Are the AISIN Transmissions any better?

 

[Ozymandias]

Thanks again Ozy.

Are the AISIN Transmissions any better?

In generally yes, i depends for how the truck is used, thats why Ram gives that Option for a medium duty transmission.
And dont add Power to an Aisin,

 

[jacknife]

Many people have big miles on their 68 RFE's

 

[Larry E]

Just to close this out. The options are a rebuilt transmission or a new one with 3 year warranty. The 'new' 68RFE is supposed to be an 'updated' version that fixed some of the problems that showed up in the 2013 model year. It is also from a different manufacturer. I will most likely go with the 'new' 68RFE with the warranty and hope that the 4.10 combo will work better than the older 68RFE/3.42 combo.
Just FYI - during this debacle I did hear numerous times that the 2013 RAM 2500 TD 68RFE did have more than it's share of problems. One guy, that towed a lot, had to replace his transmission multiple times and then gave up and went Chevy Duramax/Allison.

Thanks to everyone for your comments, I appreciate the help.

 

[Larry E]

Many people have big miles on their 68 RFE's

Yes some do, but the heaviest load I ever towed was a pontoon boat (5,000lbs) 5-6 times a year from San Diego to Yuma and back. I have 81,000 miles on this transmission. And it appears that the 2013 model year 68RFE has problems. Bad luck at dancing school.

 

[Ozymandias]

I think you did the right decision. Period

 

[EDankievitch]

What problems plague the 2013 trannys????

 

[Larry E]

What problems plague the 2013 trannys????

We talked to a number of transmission shops and a two that specialized in Chrysler products. I can get you the specifics if you want but the early 2013 model year RAM 2500 68RFE spiked with problems and were being replaced between 70k-90k miles. At the time I didn't get into specifics because I was more interested in seeing if swapping to the AISIN transmission was possible and cost effective. But I can try and get more specifics as to the points of failure. My 1st indication of failure was the CEL and error codes 5th and 6th gear ratio sensors while towing my Can Am X3 (maybe a total of 2500 lbs) and climbing on my way to Bridgeport CA in the Sierras (8000ft+) in August. It couldn't find the right gear so I locked it into 5th. Later after regearing from 3.42 to 4.10 (Dec), it locked in safe mode 4th gear while towing my 5th wheel on flat ground. I usually kept in 5th gear and it shifted normally from 1st to 5th and back again. Then after replacing sensors and ATS valve body (Jan), stock valve body was worn and sloppy, towing my Can Am again it shifted smooth and firm on my way out to the desert but when I returned home it wouldn't reverse. It locked reverse but would drive forward. Further examination and consultations came to the conclusion (along with metal fragments in the trans oil pan) resulted in the Bad Transmission diagnosis. So E Danklevich don't get any of those symptoms!!

 

[EDankievitch]

Ok.. That sucks. Sounds like you had an issue brewing for a while. I have just over 132k miles on my 2013. Some heavy towing long distance. It got it’s first service at 10000 miles and has been serviced once a year ever since. I have never locked it into a gear. Drop it in drive use tow haul when towing and let it do it’s thing. My only complaint with it has been how it sometimes will unlock when you really want it to stay locked up coasting down hill. Where the engine brake is enough to hold speed back. Sometimes it does sometimes it unlocks and you have to ride the service brakes. Having driven a manual for many years I don’t care for the way it thinks.
But aside from that it has been flawless as the Cummins engine. Unlike the rest of the truck. So when I read “ Known issues” my hair stands up.

 

[Cummins12V98]

TH and EB ON towing and descending the trans should NEVER unlock.

Try using cruise control.

 

[EDankievitch]

It has a mind of its own. Some days it stays locked up some days it unlocks. Even in cruise. Has from day one. No codes. Dealer says it’s normal. Engine turning always around 1100 rpm at 35 mph does not help.